Day: July 17, 2025

City Council Member Vickie Paladino is facing legal threats and calls for a City Council ethics investigation after the partner of slain Brooklyn activist Ryan Carson accused the Queens Republican of making false and inflammatory statements that she says endangered her safety.

In a cease and desist letter sent July 16 to Paladino, attorney Maryanne K. Kaishian alleges that the lawmaker used her social media account to spread misinformation about Claudia Morales’ actions following Carson’s 2023 murder in Bed-Stuy.

“Your misuse of elected office to defame a private citizen for political gain has forced Ms. Morales to seek legal representation, and we are formally demanding that you cease and desist all such communications concerning our client and issue a public apology for your defamatory statements,” Kaishian wrote.

Kaishian said Paladino’s remarks were prompted after Morales, a political activist, posted a photo with Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani on July 12.

Paladino — who gained fame in 2017 by yelling at then-Mayor Bill de Blasio in a viral video and has a history of provoking controversy — has recently faced criticism for doubling down on calls for Mamdani’s deportation.

“She has a very long and well-documented history of behavior like this,” Morales said. “This was something done knowingly and deliberately … it is deplorable and dangerous for her to do so within her position and influence, and responsibility as an elected official.”

Paladino’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

‘Re-traumatized’

Brian Dowling, 18 at the time, fatally stabbed Carson in the early hours of Oct. 2, 2023, as he and Morales waited at a bus stop on Malcolm X Boulevard and Lafayette Avenue after attending a friend’s wedding.

Dowling was arrested days after the unprovoked killing and was sentenced in February to 20 years to life in prison.

Kaishian said Paladino falsely claimed Morales delayed calling 911 because of her political beliefs and interfered with the investigation to protect the suspect.

In a now-deleted post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Paladino wrote that Morales “didn’t immediately call the police because the murderer was nonwhite and her politics dictate that police are the real evil.”

According to Kaishian, Morales immediately called for help, “desperately” attempted to render first aid, and fully cooperated with law enforcement, including testifying before a grand jury that indicted Dowling.

Local elected officials, New York City Parks Department representatives, and community members celebrated the completion of the first phase of a long-overdue restoration of a popular Bay Ridge playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 17.

The revamped Russell Pedersen Playground, located on Colonial Road between 83rd and 85th streets, is dedicated to U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Russell Pedersen, a frequent volunteer who was killed in the Vietnam War in 1968. The playground now features colorful interactive play structures, fitness equipment, swings — including tandem swings — and a water play area with spray showers.

NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher called the park as a “living tribute” to Pedersen and praised Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn) for helping secure $5.5 million in funding for the playground’s redesign.

“Does anybody remember what it used to look like?” Maher asked. “I mean, this whole park was really lousy. So we’re really grateful for what the council member has invested. [Brannan] has fostered some $92 million directly and then got the mayor to ante up another $103 million for the boardwalk at Coney Island.”

Brannan said one of the “coolest” parts of his job as a council member was renovating the parks and playgrounds he frequented as a youngster, and he collaborated with Maher to revitalize parks and playgrounds in his district that had been long neglected.

“Almost eight years later, we’ve almost touched every single park and playground in this district, and now we’re working on Coney Island, where there’s a lot of work,” Brannan said.

Brannan also presented Maher with a symbolic check for $4 million to fund the second phase of improvements at Russell Pedersen Playground.

One criticism Brannan said he has heard from constituents is that other neighborhoods have nicer parks and playgrounds. He noted that once phase two is completed, the recreational space will span an entire city block.

“Now, with the work that we’re doing here, I think we’re getting to the point where hopefully people are going to start to come to Bay Ridge and say, ‘How come we can’t have parks as nice as we have in Bay Ridge?'” he said. “And certainly Russell Peterson and Fort Hamilton behind us are a big, big example of that.”

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) said he has spent a significant amount of time at the newly renovated playground with his children.

“We’re here almost every other day, whether it’s playing here, running through the sprinklers, enjoying the playground, or being here with friends. It really is a remarkable place,” said Gounardes, thanking Brannan for prioritizing parks and playgrounds. “I’m thankful to have a space to take my kids, and I know that on behalf of all the families in the neighborhood who love living here, we’re grateful to have a place where families can play.”

Fitness enthusiast Danny tested his stamina on the new equipment, which includes a pull-up station, variable press and knee-lift dip station, among others. He told Brooklyn Paper the park had improved “1,000%.”

“It’s a lot better than before, that’s for sure. I can’t complain. There’s a lot of stuff to do here,” said Danny, who said he believes the cleaner environment and upgrades will motivate people to get outside and step up their exercise routines. “There’s so much variety, you can’t go wrong.”

THE BROOKLYN CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC awarded its 2025-26 Jazz Leaders Fellowships to violinist Kersten Stevens and vocalist/flutist Alexandria DeWalt.

The post Brooklyn Conservatory names 2025-26 Jazz Leaders Fellowship winners appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOTTERY has launched for 88 Schermerhorn St., between Court Street and Boerum Place.

The post Housing lottery launched for 88 Schermerhorn St. in Brooklyn Heights appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

Impact & Inspiration LIVE!, an open mic event that Confessions Bar is hosting Thursday evening, July 17, highlights expressions of social justice issues.

The post Open Mic event at Confessions Bar highlights social justice issues appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.

A BROOKLYN MAN was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday for shooting a man in East Flatbush.

The post East Flatbush man sentenced to 30 years after shooting father and son appeared first on Brooklyn Eagle.